Ross County’s on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper living life in the Highlands

New Ross County goalkeeper Nathan Baxter says it has been easy to settle into life with the Staggies.

The 20-year-old, who has joined the club on loan from Chelsea, had a comfortable first appearance for his new club as they eased to an 11-0 win against Forres Mechanics in Can-Can midfielder Ross Macpherson’s testimonial at Mosset Park on Saturday.

Baxter, who was on loan at Yeovil Town last season, said: “It was good to get back on the pitch as it feels like ages since I last played, although it was only about six weeks ago.

“I’ve played a lot of games over the last three years but it’s always good to get this first one out of the way. It’s good for my confidence and we are quickly into the League Cup up here.

“You certainly don’t get a long pre-season build-up in Scotland.

“Although I have come here from Chelsea and I have been in the Chelsea squad for pre-season trips, I have been on-loan in the lower leagues in England and I’ve played in the Conference and the seventh tier of English football so I’ve been used to coming to grounds like this.

“The set-up at Ross County is really good.

“It’s not as if I’m coming down to join Ross County, I’m working my way up and it’s been great.

“We have a good group of lads and we’re working really well with the managers.

“I’m really happy to be at Ross County and I can’t wait for the first home game against Hamilton in the league. I’m really excited about that.

“County are very much a family-orientated club.

“I can’t wait to meet all the fans and I’ve been lucky at every club I’ve been at that the fans have sang my name. I’ve been able to have a great relationship with them.

“When I go on loan to a club I become a part of that club. I now see myself as a Ross County player, not a loanee.

“I think that the fans buy into that and share the passion and I just can’t wait to meet them all and play in front of them every week.”

Ross County head to the Netherlands for a pre-season training camp tomorrow.

The Staggies will be based in Arnhem before friendlies against Dutch side Groningen on Friday and French side Valenciennes on Sunday.

Groningen finished eighth in the Eredivisie last term, while Valenciennes were 13th in the French second tier.

County begin the season with a Betfred Cup group match against Montrose in Dingwall on July 13.

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